Consecrated life is a precious gift of God to the Church through the Holy Spirit. Through the inspiration of the same Spirit who moves the horizons of the Church, Pope Francis has given us a special year to know more about this call, appreciate and thank God for this great gift to the world.

We know from the last 2000 years of our shared experience that the Spirit enriches the consecrated life with resources of grace, spirituality, manifold works and creativity in the apostolic life. So this year is a God’s plan for renewal, return to the sources of grace, opportunity to know the great wealth of its historical expressions and to reclaim the legacy of a galaxy of its saints who are the founders of various Religious Congregations.

Consecrated life, and hence religious life, has its place at the very heart of the Church. It is like the Gospel leaven though small in number in the society and in the church but a radiant sign of the kingdom of heaven for the church and for the world. It is a call for witnessing. Its firm root is in the Gospel teachings. Moreover, it is the active presence of the Gospel in the world through evangelization and catechesis, in the works of charity, embracing different forms of poverty; in being close to the sick and marginalized, in the education of children and the adolescents, in the schools and universities, in teaching the values of justice and peace and in the means of social communications.

What is the role of the religious in a particular church? Pope John Paul II sums it as a universal service in the local Church. As a special gift to the church this gift has to be lived in a particular space without diluting the charism, nature, specificity, spirit, structures and identity of the Congregation where one belong to. It should be inserted into the life of particular Churches and be called on for the good of the universal Church. Thus the religious life belongs to the Church. It is essential to its life; it is subject to the supreme authority of the Church, and to the legitimate authorities in charge of the particular Churches.

The pioneer missionaries provide us a glimpse of all what is said above in flesh and blood. They came, learned the language, and customs, adapted to the climate, terrain and socio-religious sensibilities of the local people. They contributed their sweat, tears and blood for the church. As dutiful servant in the Gospel (Lk: 12:42-44) they considered themselves as unworthy and disappeared to oblivion. Their diverse charism, contacts and resources were to build the body of Christ, the Church (Eph: 4:11-12). The seed fallen on the ground gives life to many new lives.

I have lived more than half a century as a religious in the mission land. By God’s grace and providence, I was part of a Pontifical Mission Congregation which has a track record of sustained frontier mission work. Moreover, I was blessed with the opportunity to associate with some of the luminaries in mission work who are revered as saints by the local church. What I have observed and experienced were the following:

Religious personnel were at the service of the local church. They were fully engaged in diocesan life and mission.

Their loyalty to the local Bishop was unconditional and filial. Frank and open collaboration was always visible.

They were fostering the local vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life.

Proclamation and evangelization were of top priority. Personal relation to Christ and adherence to church norms were of paramount importance.

Their mission reached beyond the boundaries of religion or a particular pattern of work.

Most of them adapted a simple way of life befitting to their sublime call. An attitude of self abnegation and personal discipline was permeating in their life style.

Their detachment and zeal for the soul was phenomenal which helped the rapid expansion of the church though their number was few.

The local community irrespective of their social status loved and appreciated them as God’s own men and women.

They were joyful and were role models of community life.

How can the religious build the Church?

Post Vatican II church has given a lot of emphasis on the ecclesiology of communion which can still contribute a lot to deeper reflection on this vocation.

Every religious has to look with the eyes of faith upon the present situation of the world and society. As Pope Francis says they should have the joy of bringing God’s consolation to all.

A lot of social and cultural changes are happening in the society. Inventions have advanced the living conditions of humanity. However, the gap between poor and the rich are widening and new forms of poverty emerge. The consecrated have all the more a role of prophetic witness in this world. Therefore, pastoral discernment has to be undertaken keeping the need of the people around with which we share a common history.

Sweeping changes have come in the value system of man which has corroded the authentic meaning of sexuality, the idea of the family and the value of virginity and celibacy. Authentic presence of religious has an added sign value today.

Religious women always formed the major portion of consecrated people. They find their archetype in Mary of Nazareth, have all the more duty bound to go ‘in haste’ (Lk: 1:39) in this world which need their presence and healing touch. They must seek ways and means that their particular charism and mission enrich the Church’s life.

We have to come out of our comfort zones of institutionalization to the missionary spirit. “They have to strip away every action that is not for God, is not of God, strip away the fear of opening the doors and going out to encounter all especially the poorest of the poor” (Pope Francis).

Bishop Thomas Thiruthalil

Quite a few face the crisis of a spiritual vacuum and a loss of the striving toward transcendent values. There remains the danger of secularization that destroys public witness and simplicity of life.

Greater emphasis has to be given to inculturation and dialogue with other religious traditions. But following of Christ according to the Gospel shall not be watered down.

In summary, faithfulness to Christ, docility to the Spirit, attentiveness to the concrete demands of the Church’s life and the needs of the times, willingness to become part of the Church’s life, obedience to the hierarchy, courage and boldness in apostolic initiatives, constancy in self-giving and humility in hardship and above all the joy will be the trade mark of every Religious. Thus they will be able to awaken the world.

(Thomas Thiruthalil, CM, is a bishop Emeritus of Balasore diocese, Odisha, Eastern India)